2018 was a very lucrative year for superhero movies at the box office, and 2019 may be even bigger. There are nine superhero films coming this year, including one dropping at the end of this week. This genre isn’t slowing down any time soon, and the predictions of “superhero fatigue” have yet to come to pass. As long as superhero movies continue to be unique, engaging, and well-made, then they won’t be going the way of the Western.
There are five films that we’re particularly excited about. But we would be remiss if we didn’t give the new Hellboy a honorable mention. Director Neil Marshall cast Stranger Things‘ David Harbour as Hellboy, and we’re encouraged by the first trailer. However, there have been a few conflicting rumors about what we can expect from the movie. Until we know more, Mike Mignola’s signature creation is just off of our list.
Now, let’s get hyped!
Glass
M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass is the first superhero movie of 2019. On Friday, January 18, Glass will wrap up Shyamalan’s trilogy that began in 2000 with Unbreakable and unexpectedly continued in 2016’s Split. Unbreakable focused on Bruce Willis’ David Dunn as he accepted the truth about his heroic destiny. Split introduced James McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with dissociative identity disorder, whose darkest persona had powers of his own. Now, it’s time for Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Price to step into the spotlight.
Glass will finally give audiences a glimpse into the mind of Price’s eponymous alter ego. Unlike Unbreakable and Split, Glass will have the opportunity to fully embrace its genre without hiding what it’s really about. That means Shyamalan finally has the chance to let his comic book colors fly.
Captain Marvel
There are several reasons to be excited for Captain Marvel. Aside from finally giving Carol Danvers her due on the big screen, Brie Larson seems to be a perfect fit for the character. Nick Fury and Phil Coulson will also be featured in the film, thanks to some digital de-aging for Samuel L. Jackson and Clark Gregg. Additionally, Captain Marvel marks the return of Korath and Ronan the Accuser from Guardians of the Galaxy. Naturally, that’s before their respective demises in that film.
Marvel is also being vague about Jude Law’s role. He’s rumored to be playing either the original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, or Yon-Rogg. Law’s character wouldn’t be such a big secret unless it was tied into a twist. Perhaps he’s the real villain of the film. But that’s just one of the mysteries within.
Captain Marvel will significantly open up the cosmic side of the MCU by introducing the Skrulls to the MCU. If the shape shifting aliens have been on Earth since at least the ’90s, it suggests that there may more Skrulls in hiding in 2019. Carol may have to face Thanos in the next Avengers movie, but we suspect that the Skrull incursion will lead to a bigger Secret Invasion adaptation down the line. On Friday, March 8, we’ll know more.
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame is primed to be one the most anticipated and lucrative movies of all time. Thanks to Infinity War‘s cliffhanger ending, there’s a tremendous amount of speculation surrounding this film. Will it involve time travel or alternate worlds? Will there be any post-credit hints about the incoming X-Men or Fantastic Four characters? And how will the remaining Avengers reverse the Snappening and finally defeat Thanos?
What we know for sure is that the dusted heroes will eventually make their return, and Avengers: Endgame will likely feature an even bigger superhero team up than Infinity War. Considering that this might also be the last MCU film for Robert Downey, Jr. and Chris Evans, April 26 can’t get here soon enough.
The New Mutants
Thanks to the Fox and Disney merger, The New Mutants will likely be the very last X-Men related movie before the deal is closed. It also appears to be the most eclectic superhero movie of 2019. It’s basically a haunted house film set in the X-Men universe. Superheroes and horror haven’t had much crossover onscreen, and the extensive reshoots were supposedly intended to make The New Mutants even scarier.
Reshoots do carry a certain stigma in Hollywood, even though they are common. We’re hopeful that director Josh Boone gave us the New Mutants movie we deserve, because these characters probably won’t be a priority once Marvel Studios finally brings the X-Men into the MCU. We’ll get to judge this film on its own merits when it hits theaters on Friday, August 2.
Joker
Wonder Woman 1984 is skipping 2019, which means we won’t have a DCEU movie this year. But we will have Joker, the first ever solo movie about the Clown Prince of Crime. Director Todd Phillips’ film is taking place outside of the DCEU, and it’s reportedly set in the ’80s, two decades before the emergence of Batman. Essentially, it’s one of the few superhero movies without any heroes. But that doesn’t mean we won’t get a glimpse at Bruce Wayne, or his father, Thomas.
Joaquin Phoenix is taking on the title role, and his alter ego, Arthur Fleck. This film will also feature its own version of the Joker’s origin, by following Arthur’s path from failed comedian to the most dangerous man in Gotham City. There’s also a very intriguing supporting cast led by Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, and Frances Conroy. This film came together so quickly that we have yet to see the first trailer. But baring any delays, it will arrive in theaters on Friday, October 4.
Are you hyped to see the superhero movies of 2019? Share your picks in the comment section below!
